Spring /Summer 25 - Music thread

[northerngoldilocks]

Time for a new thread for spring!

Come and talk about music lessons, choosing instruments, exams, auditions, specialist schools, orchestras or whatever other music activities are going on. Everyone is welcome, from those with total beginners to those whose children are studying music at advanced levels. Ask for advice or share successes or struggles.

@horseymum The Stringers Symphony is a great cello for DS2's level and I thought it was decent enough until his new cello teacher said we'd need to spend a fair amount of money on a full size one to get a good cello. She said one of her students bought a new cello for £6K, which she thought was a waste of money, so I think she thinks we need to spend more than that! We'll definitely be buying secondhand.

I agree that it's easier to know how much you need to spend on wind instruments to get decent ones. We bought DS1 two secondhand Buffet clarinets last year. They're lovely sounding clarinets and didn't cost the earth!

Will definitely look into the loan scheme you mentioned.

@Londonmummy66 Thank you for letting me know about the music shop in Watford. We're going to London in August, so I'll see if I can fit in a visit there.

I wonder if she meant it was a waste getting a new one, a second hand one would get you more instrument for the price? I imagine you have to factor in a bow although I think benslow might do bows too?

@horseymum Yes, maybe that's what she meant. DS2's teacher said he needed a full size bow earlier this year, before getting a full size cello, so we got him a secondhand Finkel bow and had it re-haired, which I think saved us money, but it was still expensive!

DD has a Finkel - it is a lovely bow! Have you thought about going to Stringers to see what they have - we got a bow and case from there and they were very professional.

@yodaforpresident Yes, we'll probably pay Srringers a visit in the summer holidays. I just don't know how to tell the difference between a £5K cello and a £10K cello, say.

We were lucky with the Finkel bow, I think. A local violin maker had a secondhand one and was happy to sell it to us. Choosing what kind of bow to go for was pretty tricky though!

Results are in for my gr 5 cornet - passed but only just - 3 marks over pass mark. Bit disappointed as I knew I could have played better but at least I passed.

@bendmeoverbackwards you passed! Well done… success begins at the pass mark. Congrats!

I think that’s amazing 👏🏻👏🏻. Am in awe of adults learning instruments and taking grades. The result itself is just a snapshot of a moment when nerves massively influence performance. I’d never be brave enough to do a grade exam as an adult. You passed and that’s all that matters - no one cares about the mark. It’s how much progress you have made in your playing that counts. Go celebrate!

@bendmeoverbackwards Well done! I am a non-musical mum in awe of what my DD & anyone else taking exams has to do - very impressed you put yourself through that. And like others have said, it’s a snapshot on the day, it’s a shame it doesn’t reflect your best but don’t let that take anything away from your achievement.

Congratulations on your exam pass, and well done for putting yourself out there. As others said, it's just a snapshot. Keep enjoying yourself.

Congratulations!
Remember - success begins at 100 marks, so you should be proud of yourself.
I teach and know how different it is to take an exam as an adult learner - the stakes feel so much higher.

Congratulations to @bendmeoverbackwards - we all get super stressed about merits and distinctions but really no one ever asks what you got - and passing means you met the standard so its all good! Well done - I can't imagine doing any exams now so I'm hugely impressed.

Still very much in the thick of it music wise here. Both kids have their school music concert tonight so in rehearsals all day. Wasn't delighted this morning to discover DS had forgotten his flute so had to take that into school! DD managed to cycle with her electric guitar, her violin, her backpack and for good measure - a couple of witches hats for drama whereas the child with the easy to carry instrument failed to take it!

This weekend DD has the Benedetti sessions which is exciting and then still trying to improve the excepts in time for recording her NCO audition by the end of the month..

Congratulations, its a pass, onwards onto your next challenge. Remember that you don't have to do all the grades.

Does anyone happen to know if ANY white shirt is fine for Rodolphus junior courses? It isn’t something that will get any use at all here apart from for their concert, so wondering if a linen shirt with long sleeves but no proper collar will be ok, or if I should buy one for one performance only

Can't help on the white shirts chat @Solasum but in earlier discussions on here someone suggested having a look at pics on the website - which seems a good plan or just ask them?

Busy week here - DS had his gr 8 flute exam on friday He wasn't massively buoyant coming out - just got marks back and he got a merit. Trying not to be slightly disappointed for him - its a great result, its just that looking at his grades on his pieces they're lower than i'd have hoped going in. He was well prepared but it was super hot and I think the nerves got him. Sure it was a very fair reflection of his playing on the day and I need to focus on the fact its a really good result.

DD had an amazing weekend at the Benedetti sessions - sectionals where Nicky Benedetti taught them about avoiding tension whilst playing, Wynton Marsalis talking about conveying musicality and emotion - plus playing on stage with both of them - and Jess Gillam on the first day! Pretty epic for a 12 yr old.

That does sound amazing, @northerngoldilocks! What an experience.

It's strangely gutting when kids don't quite do as well as we think they could in exams, but a merit is still merit! It doesn't mean his standard is any worse than someone who got a distinction - just that on the day they were better. Or something!

Talking of results, anyone know how long diploma results are taking? DS's teacher submitted his recording a few weeks ago now...

I think they can take up to 9 weeks - Its another reason why I'm not sure i could stand either of mine taking it - the number of times I'd check the ABRSM dashboard would be off the scale!

DS has the magic password for the website, but I don't! So can only drive myself, and him, mad with prompting...

My DS submitted his G8 recordings lately, and somewhere on the details page is an "Exam Date" which I think is when the mark is due, although it could be sooner. For reference, his was three weeks after submitting, but I know diplomas take longer.

Congratulations to everyone taking exams recently. The waiting is rubbish! Diploma took three weeks to come back here after sending towards end of June. A distinction which finished off time at JD nicely.
One summer residential course and concert done for one child, one more for other one to go.

DS is off on a French horn summer school tomorrow! He has to get there - five hour train trip - on his own. With his expensive French horn. I'm a bit nervous!

@herbaceous as a veteran of ‘child taking expensive instruments on solo train trips’ can I suggest you stick an AirTag in it. That way it will both be trackable and if he has an iPhone alert if he is away from it? Dd2 usually has flute and bassoon with her- it’s a terrifying combo. Hope he has fun.

congrats @northerngoldilocks - it’s a good mark! Hope he is pleased. It always feels like the merit/distinction is a lottery on the day.

on holiday here with no instruments (week 2). Dd2 has instead bought herself an electric guitar and amp on Vinted to be delivered when we return. Slightly alarmed- still perhaps it will stop her playing the cello sideways. She has LSSO at the weekend after she gets back- has never played their contra and is already nervous it will be different to her school one.

@northerngoldilocks glad your DD enjoyed the Benedetti sessions! I suspect she got even more out of it than my DS, who had an absolute whale of a time, but has no clue who Jess Gillam or Wynton Marsalis are! 🤣

I think it’s such a brilliant thing - so well organised and such a great atmosphere. I love how the tutors participate in the sharing sessions as well - DS loved the Dvorak quartet.

Which ensemble was your DD in and how did she find the repertoire? My only (v slight) gripe was that I didn’t love the pieces for the intermediate and advanced orchestras on day 2. DS was borderline beginner/intermediate this time but we went beginner and I’m so glad we did as he loved playing Campfire Ceilidh, and I think wouldn’t have grasped the subtleties of the other pieces or enjoyed playing them nearly as much.

@Compsearch i think that the rep on day 2 was much harder to perform as slower and more reliant on unison playing / being perfectly together. DD was in the advanced orchestra and she did really enjoy it - their piece was composed by the Ayoub sisters and they came along and met the orchestra so she really enjoyed that bit and said they were really lovely!

I agree that for younger kids the absolutely amazing renown musicians on stage probably goes over their heads a lot - DD definitely didn't know who Wynton Marsalis was before the sessions but does more now - she is however super starstruck by Nicky Benedetti (also not taking away anything from her playing, all round amazing enthusiasm, super human work ethic etc - but she does have amazing hair which also helps DD be in awe!)